VSO 2009 Foray Highlights in Search of
Bachman’s Sparrow
The 2009 VSO Foray was conducted June 12-17, 2009 in Greensville, Sussex and portions of Southampton Counties. The target species, Bachman’s Sparrow, was not found but, there were several other interesting findings. Anhingas were reported from both Sussex and Southampton Counties. Mississippi Kites put in their now regular appearance in Greensville County, and Cooper’s Hawk was reported from all three counties. There were several reports of a family of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers feeding a large fledgling at The Nature Conservancy property at Piney Grove in Sussex County. Probably the best bird was the Loggerhead Shrike found in SW Greensville County, unusual for a species that increasingly is only being found wintering further north and west in the state. Horned Larks were reported from several locations in all three counties and a single report of a Swainson’s Warbler from Greensville County probably represents the most westerly report of the Coastal Plain population.
The full report is available at (insert link here)
Thanks to The Nature Conservancy for providing access to Piney Grove Preserve, and to William Owen for providing permission to access the Raccoon Creek Longleaf Pine Restoration Site.
Wendy Ealding, 2009 Foray Coordinator.
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Foray sites. A full list of foray sites is available for download here ...>> [36Kb MS Word® file].